US2669365A - Apparatus for sorting articles such as mail - Google Patents

Apparatus for sorting articles such as mail Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US2669365A
US2669365A US765946A US76594647A US2669365A US 2669365 A US2669365 A US 2669365A US 765946 A US765946 A US 765946A US 76594647 A US76594647 A US 76594647A US 2669365 A US2669365 A US 2669365A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
receptacles
block
sorting
pockets
articles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US765946A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Gourdon Robert
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Centre D'etudes M B A
CT D ETUDES M B A
Original Assignee
CT D ETUDES M B A
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CT D ETUDES M B A filed Critical CT D ETUDES M B A
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US2669365A publication Critical patent/US2669365A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
    • B07C3/082—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts
    • B07C3/087—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts the objects being taken up in transport files or holders which are not part of the conveyor belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
    • B07C3/082—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
    • Y10S209/90—Sorting flat-type mail

Definitions

  • FIG. 3A APPARATUSFORSOR'IINGARTICLESSUCHASMAIL Feb. 16, 1954 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 4, 194'? FIG. 3A
  • FIGJD FI /IDA 122 Robe/v Gad/Wm Feb. 16, 1954 R. GOURDON 2,669,365
  • FIG 14 I I l I a wwj ///.9 ATTOXP/MAY Patented Feb. 16, 1954 2,669,.iii
  • the present invention relates to apparatus for the sorting and classifying of mail and other articles of similar sheet-like shape.
  • It relates more particularly to apparatus of the type in which the articles to be sorted out and to be classified, are introduced, after identification, into receptacles provided with means for identification and these receptacles are thereafter loaded into blocks, the operations of sorting being subsequently carried out with these receptacles and blocks, and the classification being then performed by discharging the receptacles into particular emplacements.
  • t has, besides, the object to provide apparatus for sorting and classifying, which is smaller and more compact than the cumbrous apparatus required by the processes hitherto used.
  • the apparatus for sorting and classifying contemplated by the invention is characterized notably by the separation of the operations of charging, of sorting and of discharging the receptacles, and their being carried out by means of elements which are separate though oombinable elements, due to the fact that they provide, on the one hand, the use of independent individually coded receptacles and, on the other hand, the grouping of these independent elements into handling blocks which are independent themselves.
  • the conveying of the receptacles can take place by any operations of grouping or of separating appropriate to the conditions to be fulfilled and, in particular, it becomes possible to distribute the blocks of receptacles, starting from a loading position, between any desired number of positions of sorting, in which the separation of the receptacles will take place in as many stages of selection as will be necessary, intermediate regrouping being then possible according to the selection cascades provided.
  • the regrouping of the separate receptacles into independent blocks takes place in the very position of identification of the letters or other articles, and of loading the receptacles, the latter in an automatic manner at the rhythm proper of the operator of the said position.
  • the positions of identification of the documents or objects, and of loading the receptacles are materially separated from the positions of sorting and of discharging, for example they may be performed in separate units (which, however, are so provided as to be capable of being combined), the independent blocks of receptacles issuing from a position of charging being thus capable of being directed to a position of sorting selected from several such positions.
  • several positions of loading may use but one position of sorting amongst many such positions.
  • the receptacles of each block are automatically locked as soon as the block is loaded, and automatically unlocked upon arrival of the block at a position of sorting where the said receptacles can be extracted from the block.
  • the passing of a block to a stage of selection provokes an automatic investigation of identity extending to all the receptacles of the block, which investigation takes place at the same time on all sides of the block; an automatic simultaneous extraction of the identified elements and the carrying along of the block to a subsequent stage of selection where its arrival gives rise, in the same manner, to similar operations, the receptacles extracted in each stage being regrouped either for a new selection or for their discharging to other positions which may, if desired, be materially distinct, or not, fromthe first position of sorting.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates somewhat diagrammatically in perspective a complete installation of sorting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a perspective'view of a mail holder
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of a handling block of such mail holders
  • Figure 3a is a detail of such a block on a larger scale
  • Figure 4 is a horizontal section at half height of a selection stage
  • Figure 5 is a lateral view of this stage with the extractors omitted;
  • Figure 6 is a part perspective view of the mechanisms of a selector unit
  • Figure '7 is a perspective view of the lower portion of the mechanisms of said unit
  • Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are views of one of the mechanisms of the selector unit in the positions of rest, active and passive operation;
  • Figures 9A and 9B are a perspective and a front view, respectively, of a mechanism for the identification and extraction as used in such units;
  • Figure 9C is a perspective view of an element of the said mechanism
  • Figures 10 and 10A are views of sectional side elevation and cross section, respectively, of a mechanism for extraction as mounted;
  • Figure 11 is a perspective view of a classifying unit
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of the mechanisms for the discharging of the receptacles
  • Figures 13A and 13B are a perspective and a front view, respectively, of an identifying and discharging mechanism as used in such classifying units;
  • Figure 130 is a perspective view of an element of the said mechanism
  • Figure 14 is a sectional side elevation of such a mechanism as mounted.
  • Figure 1 shows by way of example and in a purely diagrammatic manner a complete installation for the sorting and .classifying of mail.
  • the sorting process carried through in this installation comprises a number of consecutive steps, beginning with the stacking of a long row of letters, standing on edge, on the top story of the coding unit, while a row of open empty receptacles or mail holders is stacked in the story underneath.
  • the operator by means of appliances described hereinafter, causes the foremost letter of the row to be dropped into the foremost holder, after having defaced the stamps on the letter and having coded the holder in accordance with the address on the letter, before the letter enters the holder.
  • the filled holders are then caused to descend, one after the other to a third story and are there collected in a long prismatic frame which, when filled, contains a row of letters coded for different directions.
  • the filled frame or block is removed, in a horizontal movement, from the coding unit and transferred to one of a number of sorting units, each of which may house for instance ten such blocks superposed in ten compartments.
  • Each block of holders in a sorting unit is now approached from either side by one of a pair of selectors and extractors, each of which is set for one of two regions or states or .places or town sections or post ofiices.
  • the extractor when contacting one side of a box of filled and coded holders, will, by means of its selecting grippers, grip and extract only those holders whose coding elements are set for the same region, town or post omce.
  • the extracted holders are dropped into and collected in another box which contains only letters destined for the same region, town or post ofiice, and the extracting and collecting procedure is repeated until the last sets of frames only contain letters addressed to the same post office.
  • Hundreds of frames may be filled for different regions of a country, thousands for different districts or post ofiices, and the entire sorting installation may cover an area of a million square feet and may have a hourly performance of say 150,000 or more letters collected in thousands of letter boxes.
  • the letters or missives are piled up at i on the upper stage of an identification and indexing unit 2 in which they are introduced into the individual receptacles or pockets, under the control of an indexing desk 3.
  • This control may either: apply to each receptacle an effaceable code sign which is characteristic for the destination of the letter inserted into it, or select as a receptacle for a letter one of those receptacles the predetermined code sign of which corresponds to the said destination.
  • the independent pockets thus charged descend in the unit gradually as their loading progresses and are finally assembled in handling blocks, such as 4 at their exit from the unit.
  • the blocks 4 are then directed towards the sorting or selector units, i. e. either to such as indicated at 5 for a first stage for being sorted into a limited number of directions (four in the type of unit represented), or to such as indicated at for a detailed sorting process followed by an immediate distribution into postal boxes I which takes place in the portion 8 of these units.
  • the receptacles are regrouped into blocks which are subsequently directed to the units 5 which are respectively subjected to subsequent sorting steps in these principal directions.
  • indexing units 2 preselector units ti and selector units 6, according to the hourly charge, variable in the course of the day, or according to the mean charge of the post office considered. For example, if the rhythm of automatic sorting in the units 5 and B is stepped up, one may use several identification and indexing units 2 for each unit 5 and 5. Or, alternatively, the units 5 may be dispensed with, or reduced to one or two units for a greater number of selection units 6 if the center concerned is of little importance.
  • the receptacles used should have an eifaceable code on their sides.
  • the lateral disposition of the code marks on the receptacle allows, the receptacles to be piled into the blocks t in the direction of their thickness from which results a reduction of space requirement of the blocks or, from another point of view, a possibility of handling a greater number of receptacles per block.
  • FIG. 2 A preferred type of receptacle for the carrying out of the invention is represented in Figure 2.
  • a pocket I open at its upper portion the face or front wall I I being shorter than the rear wall I2, and a bottom wall I3 capable of being opened, for example under the pressure of control bars I4 lodged in the pocket.
  • the edges of the wall I2 are recessed at I5 in the center of the upper edge and at I6 near the ends of the lower edge, as shown, in order to facilitate the guidance and maintenance of the pockets in the blocks and paths of handling.
  • Their lateral walls I! are thickened and are provided with recesses I3 for receiving settable code index elements II9.
  • Each index element has a generally cylindrical body, with a flat central projection I25 at its outer end.
  • each index element terminates in a conical surface which engages an aperture in a leaf spring IIa which biases the index element outwardly.
  • the projection I25 cooperates with a series of peripherally spaced notches ISc located at the outer end of the recess I 8. The sides of the notches engage the projection I25 and prevent the index element from rotating. Also, the projection I25 is longer at its outer end than the diametrical distance between the bottoms of the opposite notches, so that the index element is prevented from moving out of the recess I8.
  • the index element II 9 may be rotated to bring its projection I25 into alignment with a different pair of notches Isa.
  • the various index elements on a receptacle may be set in predetermined angular positions which serve as a code to indicate the proper classification of the article carried by the receptacle.
  • the index elements may be set to indicate the destination of a piece of mail which is inserted in the receptacle.
  • a cavity is indicated that serves for guiding the coding and identification devices as will be described later.
  • On the upper and lower faces of the thick walls I! hooks, such as 20, are fixed, offering to the extractors used in the operations of selection a catch for the lateral withdrawal of an identified pocket from a handling block.
  • FIGs. 3 and 3A An example of a handling block is given in Figs. 3 and 3A. It consists of a frame 2
  • the inner, upper and lower faces of the blocks are provided with transverse grooves spaced by a distance corresponding at least to the thickness of one pocket, or alternatively, as indicated at 23, with transverse corrugations of an elementary width at least equal to the thick ness of one pocket.
  • the loaded and indexed receptacles in the unit 2 present themselves at the bottom of the unit in a pile of a size equal to that of a block 4, and said pile is introduced by pushing (by means of any appropriate mechanism not shown in the drawing) into the empty block that is waiting it.
  • the walls I2 of the receptacles assure their guidance in the grooves or corrugations 23 as will be seen from Figure 3, in which the block has been shown, for this purpose, incompletely loaded.
  • a longitudinal look-- ing bar 24 is maintained raised by an appropriate component schematically indicated at 25, cooperating with a lateral projection 26 of the bar 24 and forming part of the structure of the unit 2.
  • the member 25 disengages itself from the projection 26, and the bar 24 falls back into the slot 21 and penetrates thus into all the notches I5 of the pockets, which assures their being locked in position.
  • the displacements of the bar 24 are guided by the fittings 28 on each end face of the block into which fittings the bar 24 is bent back.
  • the access to the lateral walls of the pockets is freed for any selection operation.
  • These lateral walls carry an identification code which is adjustable as stated hereabove.
  • the operations of coding and loading of the pockets are effected at the same time, according to a particular feature of the invention, the mail being moreover defaced in the indexing unit 2 by an operation carried out in the course of loading, according to another feature of the invention.
  • the blocks of pockets 4, Figure 1 are charged and coded and then passed individually to the sorting units such as the units (preliminary sorting) or 6 (direct or final sorting).
  • the sorting is effected according to a process of simultaneous multiple selection, also a characteristic feature of the invention, which will now be described with reference to the schematical drawings at Figures 4 and 5, and the example of an embodiment shown in the Figures 6 to 10.
  • the characteristics of the identification devices which are incorporatedinto them have been predetermined in order to obtain the desired selection, and these-devices control the-gripping means for the extraction from the block, in a single operation, of the pockets identified at the time of the course of retraction of the assemblies 10 and H.
  • the Figure 4 shows such a process of extraction in the course of being performed.
  • the extracted pockets are carried away by the extracting and identifying means from between the conveyer belts such .as 12, and I3,
  • the upper wall 16 and the lower wall l! of these passage ways which may be endless belts moving their planes equipped with undulation notches I8, can carry with them the pockets directly towards the discharging positions, a certain regrouping being assured by the difference in .the linear speeds of displacement of the belts I2, I3 and of the walls It-TI.
  • the walls may, alternatively be fixed and the conveyer belts may slide over them, assuring at the same time the maintenance of the pockets in a vertical position.
  • a motor 82 is in permanent mesh with a gear box 83 from where the kinematic scheme of transmission is as follows: a vertical front shaft 84 and a horizontal shaft 85 transmitting back to the rear vertical shaft 86; the two vertical shafts transmitting to the upper horizontal shafts 81 and 88 for driving the elevator bands I9 and 80.
  • the shafts 81 andBB transmit to lateral shafts of which one only is indicated at 89 in the front of the figure.
  • a transverse horizontal shaft 92 engages by means of a crank93 an oscillatory vertical bar 94 disposed at the front of the unit between the elevator belts I9.
  • This oscillatory bar 94 carries at each selection stage a toothed rack device, schematically indicated at 05 in the Figures 6 and 7, and represented in side elevation more in detail in the Figures 8A, 8B and 8C.
  • This toothed rack device comes at times into engagement with a pinion 96 fixed on the threaded spindle 91 having two parts of opposite pitch by which the support 98 and 99 for the control of the pairs of assemblies of identifying and extracting means I0-'II (one pair'per selection stage) are moved.
  • This drive is effected as follows: when the oscillatory bar 94 is in a low position, the toothed racks 95 carried by it by means of the articulation I00; are in the position with respect to the corresponding pinions 96 represented in the Figure 8A. At this moment the blocks 4 find themselves on the conveyer belts I9 in intermediate positions between the stages of selection.
  • the gears IOI output from the gear box
  • I02 drive of the oscillatory bar 94
  • I03 drive of the shaft I04 of the conveyer belts 19
  • the sector II2 isof a shorter length 9 than the sector II3 so that the bar 94 and consequently the toothed rack 95 descend again while the block 4 is still stationary which has the result of operating the withdrawal of the identifying and extracting means (with the identified pockets).
  • the pin IEl'I disengages itself from the groove I I I, and the toothed rack disengages the pinion 96 due to its articulation loll.
  • the supports 93 make the pieces Hi9 rock in the reverse sense which establishes engagement of the clutches lid and actuates the rollers 12-13 for the removing of the pockets extracted as described with reference to the Figures 8 and 9. Thereafter the conveyer belts T9 are again driven, and the block 4 continues its course towards the higher stage.
  • the blocks 4 may be desirable to introduce the blocks 4 into the unit, for example only with an interval of two selection stages between the blocks.
  • the toothed rack 95 does not enter into mesh with the corresponding pinion 96, and the nipple I ill displaces itself then in a second groove I04 of the toothed rack the guidance of which is thus assured in any case.
  • the assemblies of identifying and extracting means can be provided under many forms ac cording to the modes of embodiments of the pockets and their codes, but, anyway, for the sake of the simplicity of their construction and control they will be preferably constituted of similar independent elements, assembled in a common mounting.
  • the structureof the pocket is such as represented in the Figure 2, and where the coding is eiiected in the manner described with reference to the Fig ures l to 6 of the U. S. patent application Serial No. 722,198, now abandoned but continued-inpart by Serial No. 252,383, filed October 20, 15 51, the abandoned case corresponding to the French patent application Ser. No.
  • any identification and extracting means may be provided that has the particular characteristics which have been described with reference to the Figures 9 and 10.
  • the body of the identifying and extracting means' is constituted by an elongated piece of U-section, H5, Ilfi, II'I, as will be better visible on the Figure 10A.
  • the flanges H and H6 are pierced. by as many channels II 8 as there can be code index elements H9 lodged in the wall I! of the pockets, Fig. 10.
  • the channels IIB traverse completely the wall H6, and end in blind holes in the wall H5. In certain of these channels there are lodged the identification elements 12a, in accordance with the codes of the selection stage under consideration.
  • the front end of the element I 2E] abuts against the corresponding projection I25 of the code index, and consequently the element is repelled backwards against the action of the spring I22. Upon interruption of contact it will be automatically restored to a projecting position.
  • This mechanism consists of two bars I223 and IE9, each carrying at one end a gripping bar Itil, IEI of a curved profile, such as represented on the Figure 9B, and cut off at their other end in the manner shown on the Figures 9A and 10, in such a way as to be capable of undergoing a relative shifting motion by gliding under friction on the axle I32 (Fig. 9A).
  • This axle is carried by the wall Ill, the said bars being lodged between the flanges [I5 and N6 of the extractor body.
  • the identifying elements are slotted on the rear at I35, Figure 90, in amanner to fork themselves over the bars I28 and I29, and moreover present notches Mil which, at rest, find themselves facing the abutments I II, carried by the said bars (there are as many abutments I 4
  • Each cam I31 carries a lever I42 which, in a rest position, finds itself directed downwards and, in an active position, upwards (the position indicated in dotted lines at I42" on the Figure 10), this lever displacing itself in a recess of the wall I I5 made for this purpose.
  • a bar I43 common to all the identifying and extracting means of one block, is then lowered until it reaches the position indicated at I43, thus causing the lowering of the levers I42 which had been operated in consequence of the turning of the corresponding cams I31; hence the separation of the bars I28 and I26 from one another which releases the extracted pockets.
  • the control mechanism of said bar I43 has not been shown anywhere being simple to conceive in itself, starting from the gears shown on the Figures 6 and '1.
  • fixation of the identifying and extracting means in their support can be such as illustrated;
  • chutes such as I49 which lead the letters released from the pockets to thepostal boxes such-as I50. Thereafter, the empty pockets are removed by i being carried to the center, and lifted again,
  • the handling means are not indicated in this case, since they may consist of conveyer belts well known in themselves in the art.
  • the discharging of the pockets requires a new automatic identification and, according to certain characteristics of the invention, this latter identification takes place with an assembly of regrouped pockets, and controls automatically the discharge if the identification is positive,
  • the Figure 12 shows schematically a point of identification and of discharge having ten positions, corresponding for example to the assembly of regrouped pockets I45 of the Figure 11.
  • the pockets arrive at the point under consideration, they are accepted only at the rhythm determined by the settings (here ten by ten) due to the-fact that a locking'bar I53 is applied to the upper recess II of their rear wall and isperiodically unlockedfor the advancing (by transport means not shown) in synchronism with the operations of identification and discharge in such a manner that these operations take place during the state of rest of the pockets.
  • the speed of this advance does not depend on the number of pockets discharged in parallel.
  • a row of identifying means I54 is fixed to a bar I53'Whl0h can undergo a transverse displacement of a small amplitude by box I66; for example by means of the mechanism comprising a pinion I61 and a toothed rack I68;
  • the box I66 may comprise a motor or'may better be driven by transmission from a common motor associated with all of the discharge controls.
  • a transmission consisting of a pinion I69 and a toothed rack I10 for thesynchronous alternative drive of an axle [H which, by means of the pinions'l12 carried by it, serves to operate the toothed racks I13of the devices for opening the pockets in case of'congruity of code.
  • the opening of the pocket is effected'by the lowering of the toothed rack I13 which pushes back the inner opening bars I4 of the pocket. It is, moreover, clear that the same operation is simultaneously effected at the other end of the pocket by corresponding.
  • the bar I15 can not be lowered, because of an abutment it! bearing against the body of the corresponding identifying element, and the upturned flat spring Hill assures the disengagement of the pinion H2 as indicated in dotted lines at I86. If the identification is positive the bar H5 descends, the spring 185 is not raised, and the pinion [l2 meshes with the toothed rack H5 in order to cause its being lower; hence the penetration of the bars for the opening of the pocket. It is clear that at the same time the extension (not shown) of the rod I76 assures the same operation of the toothed rack at the other side of the pocket. The letter thus released falls into a chute that conducts it to the corresponding postal box.
  • Apparatus for carrying a plurality of art cles to be stored comprising receptacles for said articles having upper and lower vertical flanges, a box-like frame open at the sides for insertion and removal of receptacles therefrom, said frame having its upper and lower surfaces grooved to receive said receptacle flanges so that each receptacle inserted in the frame is maintained in a position fixed with respect to the frame, code index elements in those exterior walls of said receptacles which ar accessible through said open side when the receptacles are inserted in said.
  • said elements being settable to indicate the classifications of the articles contained in said receptacles, a locking member mounted on the outside of said frame and extending longitudinally thereof for movement through an aperture in a longitudinal wall of said frame, said receptacles having locking notches in one of their flanges for receiving said locking member, said receptacles being locked in said frame when said member engages said notches, and means for operating said locking member inwardly through said aperture to lock said receptacles and outwardly therethrough to unlock said receptacles.
  • Apparatus for sorting articles comprising receptacles for said articles, a bloclr for carrying a plurality of receptacles including a box-lilac frame open at the sides for insertion and removal of receptacles therefrom, cooperating guiding surfaces on the frame and the receptacles for maintaining each receptacle inserted in the frame in a position fixed with respect to the frame, code index elements in the exterior walls of said receptables which are accessible through said open side when the receptacles are inserted in said frame, said elements being settable to indicate the classifications of the articles contained in said receptacles, means for locking said receptacles in said block, means for releasing said look-- ing means including a member projecting from said block, means for moving said block to a block unloading station, an abutment positioned adjacent said unloading station for engaging said member as said block approaches said station, said member being effective when engaged by said abutment to operate said
  • Apparatus for sorting articles comprising receptacles for said articles, a block for carrying a plurality of receptacles including a box-like frame open at the sides for insertion and removal of receptacles therefrom, cooperating guiding surfaces on the frame and the receptacles for maintaining each receptacle inserted in the frame in a position fixed with respect to the frame, code index elements in those exterior walls of said receptacles which are accessible through said open side when the receptacles are inserted in said frame, said elements being settable to indicate the classifications of the articles contained in said receptacles, means for moving said block to a block unloading station, means at said block unloading station for removing the classified receptacles from the block, means for transferring the receptacles from the block unloading station to a working station, and means at said working station for performing a sorting operation on said receptacles.
  • Apparatus for sorting articles comprising receptacles for said articles, a block for carrying a,
  • receptacles including a box-like frame open at the sides for insertion and removal of receptacles therefrom, cooperating guiding surfaces on the frame and the receptacles for maintaining each receptacle inserted in the frame in a position fixed with respect to the frame, code index elements in those exterior walls of said receptacles which are accessible through said open side when the receptacles are inserted in said frame, said elements being settable to indicate the classifications of the articles contained in said receptacles, means for moving said block to a block unloading station, and selecting means at said block unloading station for identifying and removing from the block only those receptacles whose code index elements are set in a predetermined code.
  • Apparatus for sorting articles as defined in claim 4 including means for assembling the receptacles removed at the block unloading station in a compact group.
  • Apparatus for sorting articles comprising receptacles for said articles, a block for carrying a plurality of receptacles including a box-like frame open at the sides for insertion and removal of receptacles therefrom, cooperating guiding surfaces on the frame and the receptacles for maintainmg each receptacle inserted in the frame in a position fixed with respect to the frame, code index elements in those exterior walls of said receptacles which are accessible through said open side when the receptacles are inserted in said frame, said elements being settable to indicate the classifications of the articles contained in saidreceptacles, means for moving said block sequentially past a series of block unloading stations including means for stopping the block at each station, means at each unloading station operative while the block is stopped to remove those receptacles whose code index elements are set in predetermined code classifications, so that the block is empty when it leaves the last of the series of stations.
  • Apparatus for sorting articles comprising receptacles for said articles having upper and lower vertical flanges, a block for carryinga plurality of receptacles including a box-like frame openat the sides for insertion and removal of receptacles therefrom, said frame having its upper and lower internal surfaces grooved to receive said flanges so that each receptacle inserted in the frame is maintained in a position fixed with respect to the frame, code index elements in those exterior walls of said receptacles which are accessible through said open side when the receptacles are inserted in said frame, said elements being settable to indicate the classifications of the articles contained in said receptacles, means for moving said block to a block unloading station, means at said block unloading station movable into engagement with said accessible exterior walls of said receptacles for removing the receptacles from the block, said receptacle removing means comprising means for sliding the receptacles endwise in said
  • Apparatus for sorting articles as defined in claim-3 including means at said working station for holding said receptacles stationary, and means for emptying the stationaryreceptacles.

Landscapes

  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Branching, Merging, And Special Transfer Between Conveyors (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
US765946A 1946-08-03 1947-08-04 Apparatus for sorting articles such as mail Expired - Lifetime US2669365A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR943093T 1946-08-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US2669365A true US2669365A (en) 1954-02-16

Family

ID=9471108

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US765946A Expired - Lifetime US2669365A (en) 1946-08-03 1947-08-04 Apparatus for sorting articles such as mail

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US2669365A (en))
BE (1) BE474611A (en))
CH (1) CH269345A (en))
DE (1) DE896323C (en))
FR (1) FR943093A (en))
GB (1) GB657055A (en))
NL (2) NL89370C (en))

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3140767A (en) * 1962-08-20 1964-07-14 Itt High speed automatic mail sorting systems
US4488610A (en) * 1982-05-17 1984-12-18 Data-Pac Mailing Systems Corp. Sorting apparatus
US5147048A (en) * 1989-10-24 1992-09-15 Systel International S.P.A. Sorting line for processing envelopes, particularly for photographic laboratories
US5195641A (en) * 1989-10-24 1993-03-23 Systel International S.P.A. Sorting line for processing envelopes, particularly for photographic laboratories
US5385243A (en) * 1992-05-20 1995-01-31 Harnischfeger Engineers, Inc. Modular system for automatically staging letters in connection with a letter sorting machine
US20040251179A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2004-12-16 Hanson Bruce H. Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
US20060213819A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2006-09-28 United States Postal Service System and method for directly connecting an advanced facer canceler system to a delivery bar code sorter
US20070102328A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2007-05-10 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
WO2014028204A1 (en) * 2012-08-13 2014-02-20 Laitram, L.L.C. Parcel handling methods
CN112007864A (zh) * 2020-08-03 2020-12-01 湖南文理学院 一种基于物联网快递分拣系统的多重分选机构
CN113828526A (zh) * 2021-09-21 2021-12-24 浙江华眼视觉科技有限公司 一种托盘大件dws设备
CN116969098A (zh) * 2023-07-31 2023-10-31 上海刊宝科技有限公司 一种集装箱码头密集仓储快速装卸系统及作业方法
CN117902333A (zh) * 2024-03-19 2024-04-19 金洲精工科技(昆山)有限公司 刀具分料下料设备

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1159673B (de) * 1958-07-10 1963-12-19 Hotchkiss Brandt Brieftransportschlitten mit einem oder mehreren Faechern
DE1187193B (de) * 1958-10-31 1965-02-11 Siemens Ag Anordnung zur Steuerung von Foerderkaesten in umlaufenden Kastenfoerderanlagen
FR2630412A1 (fr) * 1988-04-22 1989-10-27 Cybernetix Procede et conteneur de manutention automatique de poignees d'objets plats

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US919810A (en) * 1902-07-03 1909-04-27 William Barry Mail-distributing apparatus.
US1170091A (en) * 1911-09-25 1916-02-01 Christopher H Bierbaum Mail-distributing machine.
US1237747A (en) * 1914-03-27 1917-08-21 Mechanical Efficiency Company Mail-selecting apparatus.
US1479321A (en) * 1922-04-05 1924-01-01 Martin S Runsvold Mail canceling, sorting, and distributing machine
US2006844A (en) * 1932-11-03 1935-07-02 Electric Storage Battery Co Machine for murning storage battery plates from horizontal to vertical positions

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US919810A (en) * 1902-07-03 1909-04-27 William Barry Mail-distributing apparatus.
US1170091A (en) * 1911-09-25 1916-02-01 Christopher H Bierbaum Mail-distributing machine.
US1237747A (en) * 1914-03-27 1917-08-21 Mechanical Efficiency Company Mail-selecting apparatus.
US1479321A (en) * 1922-04-05 1924-01-01 Martin S Runsvold Mail canceling, sorting, and distributing machine
US2006844A (en) * 1932-11-03 1935-07-02 Electric Storage Battery Co Machine for murning storage battery plates from horizontal to vertical positions

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3140767A (en) * 1962-08-20 1964-07-14 Itt High speed automatic mail sorting systems
US4488610A (en) * 1982-05-17 1984-12-18 Data-Pac Mailing Systems Corp. Sorting apparatus
US5147048A (en) * 1989-10-24 1992-09-15 Systel International S.P.A. Sorting line for processing envelopes, particularly for photographic laboratories
US5195641A (en) * 1989-10-24 1993-03-23 Systel International S.P.A. Sorting line for processing envelopes, particularly for photographic laboratories
US5385243A (en) * 1992-05-20 1995-01-31 Harnischfeger Engineers, Inc. Modular system for automatically staging letters in connection with a letter sorting machine
US5405232A (en) * 1992-05-20 1995-04-11 Harnischfeger Engineers, Inc. Automatic storage and retrieval system
US20080133049A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2008-06-05 United States Postal Service System and method for directly connecting an advanced facer canceler system to a delivery bar code sorter
US20060213819A1 (en) * 2000-12-01 2006-09-28 United States Postal Service System and method for directly connecting an advanced facer canceler system to a delivery bar code sorter
US7930062B2 (en) * 2000-12-01 2011-04-19 United States Postal Service System and method for directly connecting an advanced facer canceler system to a delivery bar code sorter
US8078314B2 (en) 2000-12-01 2011-12-13 United States Postal Service System and method for directly connecting an advanced facer canceler system to a delivery bar code sorter
US20070102328A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2007-05-10 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
US20070151904A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2007-07-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
US20040251179A1 (en) * 2002-10-08 2004-12-16 Hanson Bruce H. Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
US7411146B2 (en) * 2002-10-08 2008-08-12 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
US8063331B2 (en) * 2002-10-08 2011-11-22 Lockheed Martin Corporation Method and system for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process
WO2014028204A1 (en) * 2012-08-13 2014-02-20 Laitram, L.L.C. Parcel handling methods
US9776215B2 (en) 2012-08-13 2017-10-03 Laitram, L.L.C. Parcel handling methods
CN112007864A (zh) * 2020-08-03 2020-12-01 湖南文理学院 一种基于物联网快递分拣系统的多重分选机构
CN113828526A (zh) * 2021-09-21 2021-12-24 浙江华眼视觉科技有限公司 一种托盘大件dws设备
CN116969098A (zh) * 2023-07-31 2023-10-31 上海刊宝科技有限公司 一种集装箱码头密集仓储快速装卸系统及作业方法
CN116969098B (zh) * 2023-07-31 2024-03-19 上海刊宝科技有限公司 一种集装箱码头密集仓储快速装卸系统及作业方法
CN117902333A (zh) * 2024-03-19 2024-04-19 金洲精工科技(昆山)有限公司 刀具分料下料设备
CN117902333B (zh) * 2024-03-19 2024-05-14 金洲精工科技(昆山)有限公司 刀具分料下料设备

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL89370C (en))
FR943093A (fr) 1949-02-25
GB657055A (en) 1951-09-12
NL88041C (en))
CH269345A (fr) 1950-06-30
DE896323C (de) 1953-11-12
BE474611A (en))

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US2669365A (en) Apparatus for sorting articles such as mail
US2795328A (en) Sorting device for information bearing elements
US5749473A (en) Apparatus for sorting sheets or the like
US3184061A (en) Apparatus and method for sorting flat articles
DK153699B (da) Apparat til udvaelgelse og sortering af genstande
JPH069141A (ja) 立体形シートブロック集積装置
US2901089A (en) Mechanical coding and sorting device
US2328317A (en) Distributing and assembling machine
DE19943362A1 (de) Einrichtung und Verfahren zum Ordnen von flachen Sendungen
DE2918322A1 (de) Maschine zum sortieren und suchen von flachen gegenstaenden
US4236858A (en) Sheet collating and stacking device
US6054666A (en) Paper sheet matter sorting apparatus and paper sheet matter sorting method
US2807376A (en) Combined code recorder and selector
US3519145A (en) Sorting apparatus
EP1002724B1 (de) Verfahren zum Einbringen eines Gegenstandes oder mehrerer Gegenstande in eine Verpackung
US2257220A (en) Selecting and conveying apparatus for card indexes
US20140110315A1 (en) Automatic loading/unloading apparatus for automatically loading/unloading flat articles stacked on edge, a sorting machine for sorting flat articles, an unloading method, and a postal sorting method
US1203261A (en) Selective card-sorting machine for compiling statistics.
DE19959818B4 (de) Verfahren zum Behandeln von zu kommissionierenden Artikeln, insbesondere von Softgood-Artikeln
US3137390A (en) Article sorting mechanism particularly for thin articles such as letters
US3199688A (en) Apparatus for sorting flat articles
DE19714185C1 (de) Einrichtung zur Bildung eines geschlossenen Stapels von flachen Sendungen
US3712467A (en) Sequential card sorting apparatus
US1515659A (en) Sorting device
US2046935A (en) Sorting and collating apparatus